100 THE PHILOSOPHY 



body horizontally, and do not meet in a dlretSl line, forming 

 a ridge or future, as in the beetle tribe. The whole of this 

 order are furnilhed with a probofcis or trunk for extra^Tting 

 their food. 



This order comprehends feveral genera or kinds, lome of 

 which we fhall mention in a curfory manner. — The hlaita^ or 

 cockroach, is an animal which avoids the light, and is particu- 

 larly fond of meal, bread, putrid bodies, and the roots of 

 plants. It frequents bakers fliops and cellars, and flies the 

 approach of danger with great fwiftnefs. — The head of the 

 manti^y or camel-cricht^ appears, from its continual nodding 

 motion, to be flightly attached to the thorax. This infect is 

 regarded by the Africans as a facred animal ; becaufe it fre- 

 quently affumes a praying or fupplicating pofture, by refting 

 on its hind feet, and elevating and folding the iirfh pair. 

 The grylltis comprehends a number of fpecies, fome of which 

 are called grafshoppers y others locujls, and others crickets. The 

 larvae, or caterpillars of the grylli, have a great refemblance 

 to the perfect infects, and, in general, live under ground. 

 Many of thefe infe£ls feed upon the leaves of plants. Others, 

 which live in houfes, prefer, bread, and every kind of farina- 

 ceous fubilance. — '^i^hQ fulgora, or fire-fly : The foreheads of 

 feveral of this genus, efpecially of thofe that inhabit Chinaj 

 and other hot climates, emit a very lively fhining light during 

 the night, which often alarms thofe who are unacquainted 

 with the caufe of the appearance. — ^The cicada, frog-hoppery 

 Qx jlea4ocuJ} : The larvae, or caterpillars, of fome of this ge- 

 nus, difcharge a kind of froth or faliva from the anus and 

 pores of the body, under which they conceal themfelves from 

 the rapacity of birds and other enemies. — The papa or nva^ 

 ier fcorpion, frequents flagnant waters. It lives chiefly on a- 

 quatic infe^ls, and is exceedingly voracious. — ^The cimex or 

 bug : Many fpecies of this genus feed upon the juices of 

 plants, and others upon the blood of animals. Some of them 



